Damper frame and damper combination



Dec. 27, 1960 A. P. ROBINSON 2,966,153

DAMPER FRAME AND DAMPER COMBINATION Filed March 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1IN VEN TOR. 44 5527 P Pas/-50 Dec. 27, 1960 A. P; ROBINSON 2,966,153

DAMPER FRAME AND DAMPER COMBINATION Filed March 3, 1958 2. Sheets-Sheet2 @amz /g United States Patent DAL/[PER FRAME AND DAMPER COMBINATIONAlbert P. Robinson, 8505 Roosevelt Way, Seattle, Wash.

Filed Mar. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 718,817

9 Claims. (Cl. 126-288) This invention relates to improvements in theconstruction of present day residential fireplaces. More particularly,it has reference to certain improvements in damper frames and dampers asapplied to residential fireplace constructions, whereby protectionagainst flame and excessive heat of the fire, as maintained in thefireplace, is given both to the damper frame and to that fireplacemasonry that is over and at the forward side of the frame and also isgiven similar protection to the metal lintel that supports the masonryacross the top of the fireplace opening.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a damper framefrom light weight sheet metal, and to so form it that it will define thefireplace throat; that it will properly house and support the damper inthe throat and also will serve adequately and effectively to support themasonry above the fire box, or combustion chamber. Furthermore, it is anobject of the invention to so arrange the damper that it will serve,when open, as a shield to protect the forward masonry carrying portionof the frame from the flame and fireplace heat.

It is also an object of this invention to so design a light weight,sheet metal frame and especially the top wall portion thereof that itwill have adequate strength and rigidity to serve effectively as amasonry supporting means.

Another object of the present invention is to so design the variousparts comprising the frame and damper that they can be easily andinexpensively assembled in readiness for use, as a unit.

Further objects reside in the details of construction and combination ofthe various parts of the several embodiments of the invention and intheir mode of use, as will hereafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention,I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferredforms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a damper frame and damper embodiedby this invention as installed in a fireplace.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the damper frame as seen from one sideand rear, showing the damper in open position.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a damper frame embodied by thisinvention, having an alternative form of damper plate and plate mountingmeans.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In one of its present preferred forms of construction, the damper frameis as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein it is shown to be fabricated fromsheet metal members that are cut, shaped and joined in such manner as toprovide a structure ready for installation, as a unit, to the fireplacemasonry as the fireplace is being built; the present unit being designedprimarily for use with what is now designated as modern fireplaceconstruction, wherein an angle iron member is used to support themasonry across the top of the front opening and wherein the firebox or2,966,153 Patented Dec. 27, 1960 ice combustion chamber opens at its topinto the line through a throat or passage that is defined by the damperframe.

Referring to the fireplace construction as seen in Fig. 1, 10 designatesthe top portion of a combustion chamber defined by opposite sidewalls11, a back wall 12 and hearth, not herein shown. At the front, thecombustion chamber 10 has the usual opening 13 and across the top of theopening, the masonry is supported by an angle iron beam 14 which isembedded at its opposite ends in the masonry at opposite sides of thefront opening. The top of the combustion chamber opens directly into thebottom of the present damper frame which defines the throat or passagethat leads from the combustion chamber into the chimney flue which isherein designated by reference numeral 15.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sheet metal damper frame has an upwardlyand rearwardly sloping front and top wall, designated in its entirety bynumeral 17; opposite end walls 18 and 18, which lean toward each otherand also converge in a rearward direction, and a forwardly leaning backwall 19 which extends about one-third the distance from the lower edgeof the frame to the rear edge of the top wall 17. All of the wallforming parts are rigidly joined to provide a strong and substantialdamper frame. The back wall forming plate 19 overlaps at its oppositeends with flanges 18' that are inturned from the rear edges of the endwalls 18-18. Above the wall plate 19, the frame defines an opening 20providing for outflow of gases of combustion from the combustionchamber, through the throat and into the flue 15, as indicated by thearrows in Fig. 1.

Cooperating with the rear wall opening 20, as presently more fullydescribed, is the damper or lid 22, which is adjustable between open andclosed positions to control the gas outflow from the combustion chamberin ac-- cordance with the usual functioning of a damper or to close offthe opening against downdraft or updraft when the fireplace is not inuse.

Referring more particularly to the details of formation. of the damperframe, the front wall portion 17 is fiat,

and is formed with a forwardly directed flange 17a at;

its lower edge which is embedded in the masonry of the front wall asshown. At its top edge, the wall 17 has: an upwardly and forwardlyturned stifiening flange 17b..

The opposite end walls 1818 are substantially tri-- angular in form withtheir lower edges terminating in: horizontal, outwardly turned flanges18x. The previous-- ly mentioned inturned flanges 18' that is formedalong: the rear edge portion of each wall 18 terminates about two inchesfrom the top edge of plate 17 as is well shown in: Fig. 2, to serve apurpose presently explained.

The rear wall plate 19 terminates at its lower edge in a rearwardlyturned and upwardly inclined flange 19', and along its top edge iscurved inwardly to project slight-- ly into the opening 20.

' In placing the damper frame in a fireplace the outturned flanges 17aand l8x-18x are embedded in the masonry, as indicated, and the flange atthe lower edge of wall 19 is rested against the top of the back wall ofthe fireplace.

To strengthen and give added rigidity to the damper frame structure, itis provided across its open lower side with two brace bars hereindesignated by reference numeral 21. These bars are parallel and spacedfrom each other and from the opposite end walls of the frame as will beunderstood by reference to Fig. 2. Each brace 21 comprises a fiat, rigidstrip of sheet metal, placed vertically on edge, and welded or otherwisefixed at its ends to the front and rear walls of the frame. The bracesare also supported with their top edges in the same plane.

The damper 22 comprises a flat plate of sheet metal, disposed within thedamper frame. It is of such size that, in its closed position, itcompletely closes the'opening 20. It will be understood by reference toFig. 1, that the damper in all positions of adjustment, functionallyrests at its lower edge upon the top edges of the brace bars 21 with itsupper edge portion projecting through the opening adjacent the rear edgeof the top wall 17 and is slidable on the upper end edges of theinturned flanges 18'--18 at the opposite ends of the opening 20. When inits full open position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the damper isspaced from the wall 17 and substantially parallel thereto. It isadapted to be adjusted toward and to a fully closed position by means ofa lever 23 that is so fixed to it as to extend to a position accessibleto a person upon reaching into the fireplace. When the damper is movedtoward closed position, it slides on the brace members 2121, and as itslides it moves upwardly, and when its lower edge portion closes againstthe top edge portion of wall 19, its upper edge portion swings forwardlyand is pressed into closing contact with the top edge of wall 17.

To prevent the damper sliding too far forwardly when in open position,it is formed at its opposite ends and adjacent its top edge withprojecting ears 2424, these being bent slightly rearward and thenlaterally to extend slightly beyond the planes of the side walls. Theseears, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 2, will prevent the topedge of the damper when open from dropping free of the frame, but willin no way interfere with its movements between open and closedpositions.

One of the features of this form of construction resides in the factthat the damper 22, in its open position, acts as a shield to protectthe wall 17 from fireplace heat. Also, it sets off an air passagebetween it and wall 17 through which cooling air entering at the frontof the fireplace can flow to help keep the wall 17 from overheating.

The damper frame and damper construction of Fig. 3 embodiessubstantially the same features as that of Figs. 1 and 2, but withcertain modifications. In describing it, parts of the fireplace anddamper frame corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 have been givencorresponding reference numerals. The damper frame is substantially thesame in cross-sectional shape as that of Fig. 1. It is made of sheetmetal and comprises an upwardly and rearwardly sloping forward wall 17formed at its lower edge with a horizontal, forwardly directed flange17g that is embedded in the fireplace masonry a few inches above thefront opening 13 of the fireplace and lintel 14. The opposite end wallsand back wall of this damper frame are substantially like those of thedevice of Fig. 1. The back wall 19 terminates at its top edge in arearwardly turned horizontal flange 19 and above this is the opening 20from the throat into the flue 15. One or two metal brace members 21xextend horizontally between and at their ends are fixed to the walls 19and 17 across the lower portion of the frame, between its ends. Theseare of shallow channel form, and set vertically on edge as in the deviceof Fig. 1.

A damper plate 22x is suspended from near its upper edge, to swing fromthe open position in which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 3, to afully closed position over opening 20, as shown in dotted lines. Thedamper plate is suspended for this swinging adjustment by trunnionsfixed thereto at .its opposite ends and near its top edge. Thesetrunnions may be contained in vertical guides 31 fixed to or formed in.the end walls of the bustion chamber to a position at which it isaccessible to one reaching through the fireplace opening.

Afeature-of-the-form of device shown inFig. 3 resides in the fact thatwhen the damper 22x is in the open position in which it is shown, itacts as a heat shield for the top wall 17 to prevent its becomingoverheated. It, as in Fig. 1, also defines a cooling air passage 25between it and wall 171, and this passage could be continued to a lowerlevel if so desired, by the attachment of extension plates to the loweredge of the damper.

The fact that the damper supporting trunnions 30 are contained in thevertical guides 31 permits the damper to retain contact with cross-brace21x at all positions of adjustment between fully closed and fully openpositions.

Each of the two constructions illustrated and described is a unitarystructure, light in weight, easy'to install, relatively inexpensive,effective and efficient and practical in use.

Advantages that result from these constructions include: easyadjustability of dampers and the utilization of their weight to retainthem at set positions of adjustment. For example, in the devices ofFigs. 1 and 3, the weight of the damper, as rested against the top edgesof braces 21 or 21x, retains the damper in the desired position ofadjustment. In either of these devices, the damper plate may be adjustedfrom fully closed position to any position up to its full open positionand no additional mechanism is required or depended upon for controllingthe damper operation.

In each instance, the construction is of sheet metal and is such as togive heat protection to the masonry supporting wall.

Additional advantages reside in simplicity of construction, lightness inweight and relatively low cost.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a damper frame defining a throat passage and a damperadjustably mounted in the damper frame to control flow of gases throughsaid throat passage; said damper frame comprising opposite end walls, atop and front forming wall and a back wall member extending between saidopposite end walls along the lower part of the frame, said back wallmember having its top edge substantially below the rear edge of the topand front forming wall thus to provide an outlet for said throatpassage, a cross-member extended between said back wall member and thetop and front forming wall of said frame, means on the opposite endwalls of said frame slidably supporting said damper at points near itstop edge and with its lower edge resting upon said cross-member; thelower edge of the damper and the upper edge of the cross member havingfrictional surfaces whereby the damper will be functionally held at anyof its various positions of adjustment. 7

2. In combination, a damper frame defining a throat passage and a damperadjustably mounted within said damper frame for controlling outflow ofgases through said throat passage; said damper frame comprising oppositeend walls, a top and front forming wall and a back wall member extendedbetween said opposite end walls along the lower part of the damperframe, with its top edge substantially below the rear edge of said topand front forming wall, thus to provide an outlet for said throatpassage, cross-members extended between said back wall member and saidtop and front form ing wall; said damper extending between the oppositesidewalls of the damper frame and resting at its lower edge on saidcross members and having means at its opposite ends near its top edgeproviding guided support from said end walls in its adjustment from aposition closed against said 'back'wa'll member over said outlet to openpositions at which it serves as a heat protective shield for said topand front forming wall.

3. The combination recited in claim '2 wherein said damper supportingmeans cooperates with said crossmember for the support of said damperparallel to said top and front forming wall and spaced therefrom andserves therewith in defining an air passage leading upwardlyito saidoutlet.

4. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said damper supportingmeans guides the top edge of said damper to close tightly against therear edge of said top and front forming wall when the damper is adjustedto closed position and to move downwardly and away from it when saiddamper plate is adjusted toward open position.

5. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said damper supportingmeans comprises flanges that are turned inwardly from the rear edges ofsaid opposite sidewalls; said flanges terminating at their upper ends inspaced relationship from the rear edge of the top and front formingwall, and said damper having sliding support near its top edge on theupper ends of said flanges.

6. The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said damper is formed atits opposite ends, adjacent its top edge with laterally extending wingsadapted to engage with the top portions of the rear edges of saidflanges to limit the extent of opening adjustment of the damper.

7. The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said damper has a handlemember fixed thereto and extended downwardly from its lower edge toserve as a means for its adjustment between closed and open position,and wherein said damper when moved to closed position closes along itsside edges against said inturned flanges and by its contact with saidflanges is caused to be pressed, along its top edge, against the rearedge of said top and forward wall member.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 wherein the lower edge of thedamper and the upper edge of the cross-member having frictional surfaceswhereby the damper will be retained at any position of adjustmentbetween fully opened and closed positions by reason of its weight andthe frictional engagement of its lower edge with said supportingcross-members.

9. In combination, a damper frame defining a throat passage and a damperadjustably mounted to control flow of gases through said throat passage;said damper frame comprising opposite end walls, a top and front formingwall and a back wall extending between said end walls along the lowerpart of the frame with its top edge substantially below the rear edge ofthe top and front forming wall thus to provide an outlet for said throatpassage, 21 cross-member extended from said back wall member to thefront of said frame; said damper being disposed within said frame andresting at its lower edge on said cross member, means on said frameslidably supporting said damper at points near its top edge and its endsfrom said opposite end walls; the lower edge of the damper and the upperedge of the cross-member having frictional surfaces whereby the damperwill be retained in any of its positions of adjustment and swing, whenopen, to protect the front wall of the damper frame against the risingfireplace heat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 31,914Tiberi Apr. 2, 1861 1,407,351 Myers Feb. 21, 1922 2,595,543 Robinson May6, 1952 2,854,967 Robinson Oct. 7, 1958

